Paradox: Pangea

Heavy/Speed/Thrash Metal

4.0/5.0

Of the 30 years of Paradox history, the last eight have been the most consistent and productive. To that end their have been two constants that propel Paradox: only remaining founding member, vocalist, and guitarist Charly Steinhauer and his commitment to old school speed and thrash metal. Pangea is his seventh album and marks the return of young guitar wunderkind Gus Drax (also Black Fate).

Paradox's Charly Steinhauer

Honestly, there's nothing unexpected within. Bristling and blazing riffage with twin guitar harmony. Speed and more speed. Songs rush along headlong like an incoming missle about to deal death to an ISIS camp. Of course, equally blazing and roaring guitar solos abound. Speed and thrash metal has always been about the wall riffage and ripping solos. Anything else isn't the real deal. Steinhauer as a vocalist sings clean, but gruffly, chewing his way through the lyrics. Make sure you have the lyric booklet handy. Is there any moderation? You're joking with that question, right? The beginning of both Vale Of Tears and Manhunt has some light electric guitar, the former over vocals, but then both explode into two of the fastest most intense songs here. Cheat Pretend is more steady traditional heavy metal, and so the exception. Otherwise, Paradox's Pangea is rather raging and racing speed thrash metal, and that's what you were hoping for. Fans will be pleased.

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